From Stars to Life
A Quantitative Approach to Astrobiology

This text for advanced students takes a quantitative approach to understanding the origins and distribution of life in the Universe.

Manasvi Lingam (Author), Amedeo Balbi (Author)

9781009411219, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 5 December 2024

416 pages
26.1 x 21.1 x 2.6 cm, 1.09 kg

'… many readers may find this book a useful guide to the literature in areas beyond their primary expertise. Recommended.' C. Palma, Choice

How did life originate? Is there life beyond Earth? What is the future of life on our planet? The rapidly growing multidisciplinary field of astrobiology deals with life's big questions. This text harnesses the authors' two decades' experience of teaching acclaimed courses in astrobiology, and adopts a novel quantitative approach towards this emergent discipline. It details the physical principles and chemical processes that have shaped the origins and distribution of molecules, stars, planets, and hence habitable environments, life, and intelligence in the Universe. By synthesising insights from domains as diverse as astronomy and physics to microbiology, biochemistry, and geology, the authors provide a cutting-edge summary of astrobiology, and show how answers to many fundamental questions are drawing closer than ever. Geared towards advanced undergraduates and graduate students in the physical sciences, the text contains more than 150 innovative problems designed to enhance students' knowledge and understanding.

Part I. Astronomical Origins
1. The foundations of astrobiology
2. From the Big Bang to molecules
3. Planet formation and migration
Part II. Earth
4. Conditions on early Earth
5. Origin(s) of life on Earth
6. Co-evolution of life and environment on Earth
Part III. Habitability
7. Instantaneous habitability
8. Continuous habitability
Part IV. Astrobiological Targets
9. Mars
10. Icy worlds
11. 'Exotic' life
12. Detecting and characterising exoplanets
Part V. Detecting Life
13. Biosignatures
14. Technosignatures
Part VI. Futures
15. The future of humankind
References
Author index
Subject index.

Subject Areas: Astronomy, space & time [PG]